I believe I read about an artifact in Waterdeep, made by one of the arch mages. A staff I think. It's made of seven (maybe?) parts and is used by those of good or neutral alignment to defend from evil and undead threats. Did I dream this or is it real? I can't find it anywhere!
I thought the story was it was created and used to defeat evil, and one of the intrinsic enchantments was that it would shatter if wielded by an evil creature. One night a group managed to break into the tower to steal and use the artifact for themselves, but the moment they touched it the artifact was scattered to 7 random locations.
Hi WoodsGirl0402, I thought about that but everytime I research this it's always about Blackstaff's personal item, not the city's artifact. I appreciate the help though.
Thanks overchord, this is all good info but still not what I remember. I'll dive through all my lore again and see if I can find it. Wish me luck y'all.
Are you referencing the Rod of Seven Parts? I somewhat remember they had adapted that to the Second edition, I think this was an original Gygax item from back in the day. The story module was really entertaining, and kept your attention well, though I am sure many a character sheet got torn up on that one.
There's also the Staff of Aghairon(sp?). I don't think the lore fits but it's designed to keep dragons out of Waterdeep. Maybe you had an amalgamation of a few different magical artifacts in your mind?
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I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
There's also the Staff of Aghairon(sp?). I don't think the lore fits but it's designed to keep dragons out of Waterdeep. Maybe you had an amalgamation of a few different magical artifacts in your mind?
That’s in Dragon Heist right? I think I remember that.
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I really like D&D, especially Ravenloft, Exandria and the Upside Down from Stranger Things. My pronouns are she/they (genderfae).
Yes it’s in Dragon Hest. Like Vanzoeren I think you have mixed together Aghairon’s Staff that protects Waterdeep rom Dragons and the the Rod/saff of 7 parts and that is why you can find the item yo remember.
The Staff of Waterdeep was is originally introduced in the 1989 Catacombs solo adventure, The Knight of the Living Dead by Allen Varney. Here's the description from that adventure when your character locates the first piece as part of your quest.
"The Staff of Waterdeep is the most recent creation of the archmage of Waterdeep, Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun. This good wizard has produced powerful items in times past, but in the staff, he has surpassed himself. The cerebricule tells you of the staffs history. Khelben heard from an oracle that a major peril threatened his city-danger from "those who sleep not:' Presuming that this meant the undead, the wizard created a rod able to destroy or resurrect the undead, among the most powerful effects of necromantic magic.
To prepare the staff, Khelben collected materials representing the best of life: love, honor, piety, bravery, joy. Each of the items he gathered embodied these virtues, and in addition they imbued the staff with the mystical power their histories had accrued.
Khelben kept his staff in his own tower, thinking it impenetrable. But he did not reckon on the wizardry of the liches, Haurrant and Abraxa. On the night the Effluvium was to permeate the city, they lured Khelben away on false pretexts, then assaulted the tower with all the strength at their command. Though hundreds of their undead servants perished against Khelben's defenses, Abraxa managed to lay its hands on the staff.
Then Khelben's brilliant guardian enchantment came into play. At the touch of an evil being, the staff broke apart, and its components reverted to their original forms and flew across the city to their old locations. The liches could not foil the concealment spell that hid their whereabouts.
There are twelve pieces of the Staff of Waterdeep, each made of a different material, each about 6 inches long."
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Hey everyone,
I believe I read about an artifact in Waterdeep, made by one of the arch mages. A staff I think. It's made of seven (maybe?) parts and is used by those of good or neutral alignment to defend from evil and undead threats. Did I dream this or is it real? I can't find it anywhere!
I thought the story was it was created and used to defeat evil, and one of the intrinsic enchantments was that it would shatter if wielded by an evil creature. One night a group managed to break into the tower to steal and use the artifact for themselves, but the moment they touched it the artifact was scattered to 7 random locations.
Am I losing my mind??? Please help.
Maybe you mean the staff wielded by the Blackstaff (who is currently a female human archmage named Vajra Safahr according to Dragon Heist)?
I really like D&D, especially Ravenloft, Exandria and the Upside Down from Stranger Things. My pronouns are she/they (genderfae).
Hi WoodsGirl0402, I thought about that but everytime I research this it's always about Blackstaff's personal item, not the city's artifact. I appreciate the help though.
There's an Axe, called Azureedge that specifically is tied to Waterdeep. Orginally from the book Magic of Faerun - also described here: https://www.realmshelps.net/magic/items/artifactf.shtml
Not sure of that's the one, but I couldn't really remember any other specifically tied to Waterdeep in that way.
The Blacksatff isn't jsut a single staff though - there are multiples : https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Blackstaff_(staff)
Thanks overchord, this is all good info but still not what I remember. I'll dive through all my lore again and see if I can find it. Wish me luck y'all.
Are you referencing the Rod of Seven Parts? I somewhat remember they had adapted that to the Second edition, I think this was an original Gygax item from back in the day. The story module was really entertaining, and kept your attention well, though I am sure many a character sheet got torn up on that one.
Here is a link to the novel that was written about it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rod_of_Seven_Parts_(novel)
I am not sure what my Spirit Animal is. But whatever that thing is, I am pretty sure it has rabies!
There's also the Staff of Aghairon(sp?). I don't think the lore fits but it's designed to keep dragons out of Waterdeep. Maybe you had an amalgamation of a few different magical artifacts in your mind?
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
That’s in Dragon Heist right? I think I remember that.
I really like D&D, especially Ravenloft, Exandria and the Upside Down from Stranger Things. My pronouns are she/they (genderfae).
Yes it’s in Dragon Hest. Like Vanzoeren I think you have mixed together Aghairon’s Staff that protects Waterdeep rom Dragons and the the Rod/saff of 7 parts and that is why you can find the item yo remember.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
The Staff of Waterdeep was is originally introduced in the 1989 Catacombs solo adventure, The Knight of the Living Dead by Allen Varney. Here's the description from that adventure when your character locates the first piece as part of your quest.
"The Staff of Waterdeep is the most recent creation of the archmage of Waterdeep, Khelben "Blackstaff" Arunsun. This good wizard has produced powerful items in times past, but in the staff, he has surpassed himself. The cerebricule tells you of the staffs history. Khelben heard from an oracle that a major peril threatened his city-danger from "those who sleep not:' Presuming that this meant the undead, the wizard created a rod able to destroy or resurrect the undead, among the most powerful effects of necromantic magic.
To prepare the staff, Khelben collected materials representing the best of life: love, honor, piety, bravery, joy. Each of the items he gathered embodied these virtues, and in addition they imbued the staff with the mystical power their histories had accrued.
Khelben kept his staff in his own tower, thinking it impenetrable. But he did not reckon on the wizardry of the liches, Haurrant and Abraxa. On the night the Effluvium was to permeate the city, they lured Khelben away on false pretexts, then assaulted the tower with all the strength at their command. Though hundreds of their undead servants perished against Khelben's defenses, Abraxa managed to lay its hands on the staff.
Then Khelben's brilliant guardian enchantment came into play. At the touch of an evil being, the staff broke apart, and its components reverted to their original forms and flew across the city to their old locations. The liches could not foil the concealment spell that hid their whereabouts.
There are twelve pieces of the Staff of Waterdeep, each made of a different material, each about 6 inches long."